Palestinian Boy Dies After Israeli Gunshot
Associated Press
November 5, 2005

JERUSALEM (AP) - A 12-year-old Palestinian boy who was shot by Israeli troops while holding a toy gun last week died of his wounds Saturday, relatives and medical officials said.

Israeli forces mistook the boy for an armed militant during an exchange of gunfire Thursday in the West Bank town of Jenin and later discovered he was carrying a toy M-16 rifle, military officials said. The boy, Ahmed Ismail Khatib, was taken to an Israeli hospital with wounds to his head and stomach.

Dr. Tzvi Ben-Yishai, a spokesman for Rambam Hospital in the Israeli city of Haifa, said the boy died Saturday and his parents decided to donate his organs "to bring hearts closer and bring peace closer.'' The boy's uncle, Jamal Khatib, confirmed that the family had donated the boy's organs.

The boy's relatives said they realized the organs probably would save Jewish lives, and they hoped their decision would advance the cause of peace.

"This is part of our culture. As Muslims, we can tell the world that we're not terrorists,'' Khatib said. "If it goes to Jews or Arabs, it doesn't matter to us.''

The shooting occurred on the first day of Eid el-Fitr, a major Muslim holiday marking the end of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, and Palestinian children frequently buy toy guns and receive gifts to celebrate.

At the time, the soldiers were pursuing an Islamic Jihad fugitive, who escaped, Palestinian witnesses said. The army has expressed regret over the shooting.

Can you imagine letting your Palestinian child in the West Bank carry a realistic toy gun? Madness!